Larger sizes-where to buy 18-22?

[Helium]

Anyone know of any good places to buy larger sizes?

I know about simplybe but thats about it!!

Debenhams designer ranges go up to a 22. My Mum bought a lovely pair of John Rocha jeans there in a size 20.

Monsoon, M&S, Next.

Do you have any guidelines on budget?

Meanwhile, recommend M and S Autograph, and (with careful choosing) Boden who go up to 22.

Boden do a 22?

I find M&S a godsend but then I am practically elderly.

Thanks - any others?

Healthy budget Poly.

Am I the only larger lady on here?

Do you know about the lagenlook style of dressing? It's about using loose layers to create an A-line shape e.g. base layer of close fitted long-sleeve t-shirt then loose long line tunic over with wide loose trousers under, waterfall cardigan on top - for example. It covers a multitude of sins and is great for larger ladies - I am 16-18 and dress like this regularly and always get compliments. It's more popular in Europe, esp. Germany & Denmark so I get most of my gear off eBay these days - good brands to check out are Oska, Crea Concept, Hebbeding, Completo Lino, Privatschen, Kekoo. There's also a fab online shop www.idaretobe.com which will give you an idea of styles, brands & prices. HTH - I'm a bit of an evangelist for lagenlook!

Dorothy Perkins go up to a 22 in some styles, Next directory have plus sizes too look on line hey also have a special section. Hennes and Mauritz (H&M) have the bib range - big is beautiful. New look have a plus range online too.

There is definitely more choice out there than simply be. I don't really like the quality of their garments.

Look out for Ulla popkin a European plus range, getting bigger here.

There is a designer label for plus sizes too, As well as Anna Scholz there is Marina Rinaldi?

Helium - you are definitely not the only larger lady! There are a few. I am a 20/22. Apple shape. Smaller size in jeans/trousers than in tops. Skinny legs.

I buy from Evans (jeans and the occasional top), M&S - I like Autograph, H&M although not all stores stock the BiB range which is a pain. Debenhams too. I buy the odd thing from Land's End too - jackets/t-shirts. I find their jeans huge in the leg. Next Directory although some items are questionable quality wise - bought a gorgeous dress there last year but had to return it as it was like a rag.

I find Elvi and Ann Harvey too old although I have found the odd item.

There is an on-line company called Wrap London that do nice stuff and go up to a 22. Not cheap but the stuff is nice.

phatcat - that sounds interesting. I have heard of that style. Must investigate.

I am in Hungary and there a a few Ulla Popken shops here. Some OK stuff. Have never found anything in Marina Rinaldi.

Monsoon gets most of my money.

Oh my good God phatcat! Some of that stuff is scary! I am sure it can look very elegant but some of the styling is completely OTT.

I agree Buda. I think, as an apple I would look worse and bigger in that stuff.

And it is too complicated, what do you do in summer, it all looks like a lot of layering.

Watching with interest. Notice the dreadful Evans hasnt been mentioned.

I need new clothes as I'm pregnant and already outgrown my trousers.

I mentioned Evans onadietcokebreak - but I agree it is dreadful. I find it ok for jeans and the odd casual top. Anything else makes me afraid to stand near a naked flame!

I know La Redoute do plus sizes and you can choose some styling on the same item to fit an apple or a pear.

Trouble is they flood you with mail once you order from them....and quality is dubious on some items too....

I find new look inspire range the best, but again they only have it in the bigger stores. I also buy a fair amount from dorothy Perkins, who I think go to a 22 in some items.

Buda, don't envy you. I spent a lot of time in Budapest between '98 and 2008 and reeally struggled to find clothes bigger than a 14 that weren't made for older women. Bags and shoes on the other hand... Has it improved?

I'm surprised that simply be has taken off. Most of the larger ladies I know, including myself, wouldn't be able to buy without trying on first. I can be a 16 in one shop, and a 22 in another depending on the store and the cut of the outfit.

Buda. Sorry I missed your post!

I'm the same as you jeans and tops from their but fear I may need to shop there to get me through this pregnancy!

I only buy underwear from Simply Be as I'm a 16, but some of their things look nice in the catalogue.

I believe Monsoon go up to a 20 or a 22. The sales tend to have alot of them left so cheaper!"

Monsoon and Boden are my staples.

Monsoon are really missing a trick not doing maternity imho.

Onadietcokebreak - I lived in H&M mamma stuff when I was pregnant and a size 16. They do go up to a 20 in normal ranges. And the stretchy waistbands are great!

Thanks binful. Unfortunately I'm more a 22/24 plus no h&m near us.

Will see if they do online though.

I like Monsoon and Next. Simply Be I think is like Evans - over-priced for not great quality. They do have a very small range of maternity clothes though onadietcokebreak. I get a few bits from Inspire at New Look, lots of it is badly cut for bigger women but occasionally they have very good things. H and M goes for the dress you in a tent style, which I think is unflattering to the vast majority of women.

For online shopping, Yours clothing is way better than Simply Be - much better quality on most stuff, for much lower price. Ignore the cheap looking website (they clearly have one day of very quick photo taking with one model and don't bother hiding bra straps etc.!). They seems to have actually put the money into the clothes, which are mostly way better quality than you'd expect. They do a great range of maxi dresses - I've bought a few for maternity wear.

I like jeans in evans.
Tops from inspire or rogers and rogers in matalan, sometimes Monsoon in the sale

smellmycheese - no it hasn't improved! I don't buy much here. C&A do larger sizes and sometimes there is something. Bought a nice grey sweater dress there for this winter. Other than that I keep an eye on Ulla Popken and Tesco.

I haven't bought anything from Boden for ages. I buy some things from Monsoon too.

For Plus size maternity - M&S? I think Next do it too.

I forgot about New Look - again I find the odd thing in Inspire but not much.

"Am I the only larger lady on here?"

Probably not but you seem more stylish than I am, I get all my clothes (20/22) from Asda and Tesco.